Rotherham Titans finished off their home campaign in style with a thrilling, high scoring 40-38 win over Champions Richmond on a warm afternoon at Clifton Lane.
The teams shared 12 tries in a highly competitive clash in which neither side gave an inch, as both sets of players desperately fought out a titanic tussle.
Rotherham’s tries came from Ellis Thomas, Travis Gordon, Ronnie Du Randt, John Okafor, Rob Povey and Jack Townend, with Lloyd Hayes adding 10 points from the tee.
The contest burst into life from the outset as Richmond raced into the lead after 2 minutes when second rower Jake Monson picked up from the base of a ruck close to the line, before darting over next to the sticks.
The visitors added to their tally soon after when following a kick downfield skipper Jimmy Litchfield crash over in the corner, doubling the lead to 14-0
The one thing that cannot be questioned about this Rotherham side is their heart, desire and their determination to never give up.
So, no one should have been surprised when before the 20-minute mark they crossed the whitewash twice to narrow the deficit to 2 points.
First up, number 8 Ellis Thomas was on hand to finish off a catch and drive, before Travis Gordon snaffled upon a mistake from the Richmond defence to charge in near the corner.
As the half drew to an end and well into the fourth minute of injury time, Richmond put in a number of heavy drives which resulted in number 8 Sam Pim being bundled over. The conversion from fly half Callum Grieve sent the visitors in with a healthy 21-12 lead.
Astonishingly, inside the opening 4 minutes of the restart Rotherham took the lead for the first time!
On 42 minutes they spread play the full width of the pitch to winger Ronnie Du Randt, who from 40 metres out proceeded to burst through the Richmond defence to score a lovely try in the corner.
Just 2 minutes later and Rotherham scored an even better try.
Lloyd Hayes collected the ball deep inside his own 22 before charging downfield, evading numerous attempted tackles before finding John Okafor in support. The big man pinned his ears back and galloped home from 45 metres to huge roars from the Clifton Lane faithful. Hayes converted to give the Titans a 26-21 lead.
Richmond aren’t champions without good reason and they soon got back on the scoreboard.
Following another heavy shift from their big pack the ball was spun out wide to full back Alex O’Meara who ran in for the easiest of scores. However, Grieve missed the conversion leaving the game tied at 26-26.
In what was already a humdinger of a match, the excitement levels were about to reach new heights for the home side.
On the hour mark and following some good forward pressure from Rotherham, the ball was sent to fly half Rob Povey. He stepped back inside before squeezing through a narrow gap to score a fine try.
It got even better for the Titans shortly after when Jack Townend collected a clearing kick about 65 metres out. The full back chose to run it and he proceeded to go the full length before side-stepping his final man to score an outstanding try. Hayes converted to give his side a 40-26 lead.
Inside the final 10 minutes the champions showed great determination to get back into the game, as tries from Jimmy Litchfield with a catch and drive and Sam Pim with a pick and go drew them to within 2 points, it would have been a level game, but Callum Grieve’s first conversion missed its mark.
Deep into stoppage time Richmond had the opportunity to nose back ahead with a penalty from out wide, but unfortunately for them Grieve’s difficult effort slid past the left upright and Rotherham held out for a famous win.
To be fair it was a deserved win for the South Yorkshire side and with one game remaining they are guaranteed to finish no lower than third in the table and that is an outstanding achievement in their first season back up in National 1.
Commenting afterwards Harvey Biljon said:
“I think the first thing we have to say is credit to our players and the way they responded.
“Before the game and particularly at half time, to come out and put themselves into a position to win. Do not underestimate how tough a game that was; when you are playing the champions who have the freedom to go and play.
“For us to stick in it, get ahead and then have to come back again, and then the defensive effort at the end to see it out and get the result, that makes me hugely proud of them.
“And I’m thankful to all the supporters, you could hear them at key moments; they made a huge difference today and they were absolutely outstanding.
“What a great way to celebrate this season, I know we’ve got a game to go, but to put on a performance like that in front of our supporters in what has been a rollercoaster year, that was amazing.
“I spoke to Rob Powell (Richmond’s DOR) before the game, and I said to him not to underestimate the achievement of winning the league.
“I know players and coaches that that have been through their whole careers and not won any silverware.
“So, enjoy it and embrace it and I wish them luck against Blackheath next week; let’s hope when they present that trophy it comes after a great result and performance at home.”
Titans: Thomas (T), Gordon (T), Du Randt (T), Okafor (T), Povey (T). Townend (T), Hayes (5C)
Richmond: Pim (2T), Litchfield (2T), Monson (T), O’Meara (T), Grieve (4C)
Yellow Card: Capps (Titans)
Red Card: Savaiinaea (Richmond
Attendance: 250
Referee: Henry Pearson
Assistant Referees: Daniel Rowlands & Jason Garrick
Titans: 15 Jack Townend, 14 Cuchulain Livingstone (Naylor 40), 13 Lloyd Hayes, 12 Jamie Cooke, 11 Ronnie Du Randt, 10 Rob Povey, 9 JB Bruzulier, 1 Zach Toerien (Capps 26), 2 Jack Bergmanas (Wright 61), 3 Rikki Stout (Foster 35), 4 Harry Gilson-Fox (Poole 40), 5 John Okafor, 6 Travis Gordon ©,7 Harry Newborn, 8 Ellis Thomas.
Replacements: 16 Ben Wright, 30 Charlie Capps ©, 18 Andrew Foster, 27 Zak Poole ©, 21 James Naylor.
Richmond: 15 Alex O’Meara, 14 Sam Smith, 13 Paddy Case, 12 Tololima Savaiinaea, 11 Josh Addams, 10 Callum Grieve, 9 Matt Marsh, 1 Chris Freeman, 2 Will Goffey, 3 Jimmy Litchfield © (Murray 68), 4 Jake Monson, 5 George Nugent, 6 Ethan Benson, 7 Xavier Hastings, 8 Sam Pim.
Replacements: 16 Hamish Murray, 17 Barnaby Vaughan, 18 Miles Wakeling, 19 Luc Jones, 20 James Langston.
Photo: Gareth Siddons